Providence Medical Research Center selected as site for research study in patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) reports there are currently 20.8 million people with diabetes mellitus (DM) in the United States, or 7-8% of the population, and approximately 1.5 million new cases are diagnosed each year.  Approximately 44% of people who are newly diagnosed as having chronic kidney disease are individuals with DM.

Providence Medical Research Center (PMRC) is one of approximately 50-80 centers in North America who will be participating in a research study of an investigational drug for patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Management with current medications that treat the complications of T2DM, such as diabetic kidney disease, may not sufficiently reduce the rate and onset of damage to the kidneys.  The consequence of this damage is improper filtering by the kidneys and excess protein in the urine or "proteinuria".  Previous research has shown that treatments that reduce proteinuria, which is a common sign of T2DM related to declining kidney function, can slow progression of diabetic kidney disease.  This study is designed to determine the effect of the investigational drug on proteinuria and also on kidney function.

There are many factors known to lead to the decline in renal function for people who have T2DM.  High blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, and potentially high cholesterol levels all play a role in the loss of kidney function.  Recent research has found another contributor to a decline in renal function is an increase in Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF), a protein the body normally produces.  CTGF acts along with many other proteins to regulate the production of fibrous tissues in the body.  It is thought that when CTGF is too high, growth of this fibrous or scar-like tissue occurs in the kidney.  This results in loss of kidney function and proteinuria.  Previous studies have found that current medications that treat hypertension and diabetes may help to protect the kidneys from damage, but they do not completely normalize CTGF levels.  This study will also examine the effects of an investigational drug on CTGF levels.  We at Providence Medical Research Center are proud to be a part of this important study.